Systems and methods for a hybrid entertainment and gambling game using an object alignment game

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for a gambling hybrid game that provides an object alignment game in which a player moves an object in a displayed grid to form an alignment of a plurality of matching objects in a specified configuration as an entertainment game are disclosed. The entertainment engine provides the game in which a player moves a game object within the grid and determines the result of the movement. The entertainment engine generates status updates based on the game play of the object alignment game. The status of the game play is provided to a game world engine that determines when gambling events should be provided based on the status of game play and a real world engine resolves the gambling event and associated wagers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application is a continuation of Patent Cooperation TreatyApplication No. PCT/US13/73427, filed Dec. 5, 2013 which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/749,506, filed Jan. 7,2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as ifset forth herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to gaming andmore specifically to systems and processes that provide a gamblinghybrid game in which an object alignment game is provided as anentertainment game and gambling events are triggered by game eventsduring play of the object alignment game.

BACKGROUND

The gaming machine manufacturing industry provides a variety of gamingmachines to enable wagering for interested parties whilst providing anentertainment experience. An exemplary gaming machine is a slot machine.As the demographic of eligible players has shifted with time to newergenerations who have grown accustomed to highly sophisticated graphicsand interactive video games, a need has arisen to increase theentertainment content present on a gaming machine to keep it relevant,at least to a growing portion of a casino's patronage. The subjectdesign is a form of gaming machine, designed for use in a physical orvirtual casino environment, which provides players an environment inwhich to play for cash, prizes and points, either against the casino orin head to head modes in a controlled and regulated manner while beingallowed to use their skills and adeptness at a particular type of game.An example of such a game would be a challenging word spelling game, oran interactive action game such as is found on video game consolespopular today, such as a PlayStation®, an Xbox®, a Wii® or a PC based.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the inventionprovide a gambling hybrid game on a computing device with an objectalignment game as the entertainment game. In an object alignment game, aplayer a player aligns matching objects in rows and/or columnscontaining different objects. In accordance with embodiments of theinvention, the gambling hybrid game includes an entertainment engine, agame world engine, and a real world engine. The entertainment engine isconstructed to execute an entertainment game. The game world engine isconstructed to manage the entertainment game and the real world engineis constructed to resolve gambling events in the gambling hybrid game.In accordance with some of these embodiments, a gambling hybrid gamehaving an object alignment game as the entertainment game is provided inthe following manner. The entertainment engine receives an input fromthe player movement of an object within a displayed grid in theentertainment game. The entertainment engine determines a result of themovement of the game object in the entertainment game and generatesstatus updates regarding play of the object alignment game.

The status updates of the play of the object alignment game are providedby the entertainment engine to the game world engine. The game worldengine determines whether a gambling event is to occur based upon thestatus update from the entertainment engine and requests the gamblingevent be resolved by the real world engine when the gambling eventoccurs. The real world engine determines a result of the gambling eventand a wager associated with the gambling event.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the game worldengine receives the result of the gambling event from the real worldengine and determines an amount of an intermediate value item to awardthe player based on the result of the gambling event using the gameworld engine. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the gameworld engine uses the status update along with the result of thegambling event to determine the amount of an intermediate value item toaward. In accordance with still further of these embodiments, the gameworld engine provides an indeterminate game resource that a player mayacquire with the intermediate value item using the game world engine.The game world engine also receives a request from the player to acquirethe indeterminate game resource in the game world engine. In response tothe request, the game world engine deducts the amount of theintermediate value item from an intermediate value item account of theplayer and provides an update of the indeterminate game resource fromthe game world engine to the entertainment engine for use in the game.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the game worldengine receives the result of the gambling event from the real worldengine and determines an amount of game world currency to provide to theplayer based on the result of gambling event. In accordance with some ofthese embodiments, the game world engine provides an indeterminate gameresource that a player may acquire with the intermediate value item fromthe game world engine. The game world engine receives a request from theplayer to acquire the indeterminate game resource. In response to therequest, the game world engine deducts the amount of the intermediatevalue item from an intermediate value item account of the player andprovides an update of the indeterminate game resource to theentertainment engine for use in the object alignment game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of components of a gamblinghybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conceptual diagram of aspects of a Real WorldEngine (RWE) of a gambling hybrid game in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a conceptual diagram of aspects of a Real WorldEngine of a gambling hybrid game in accordance with some otherembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a signaling diagram of communications between a RealWorld Engine (RWE) and an external system to provide various functionsin accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a process flow and signalingin a RWE to provide various functions in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a conceptual diagram of aspects of an EntertainmentSystem Engine in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a conceptual diagram of interactions between a userand a gambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplaybetween aspects of a gambling hybrid game in accordance with someembodiments of the invention using Real World Currency (RC).

FIG. 9 illustrates a conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplaybetween aspects of a gambling hybrid game in accordance with otherembodiments of the invention using Virtual Real World Currency (VRC).

FIG. 10 illustrates a system diagram of an implementation of a networkbased gambling hybrid game in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system diagram of an implementation of an Internetbased gambling hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a system diagram of an implementation of a cloudbased gambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of components of a deviceimplementing a gambling hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow diagram of a process performed by a gamblinghybrid game to provide an object alignment game as an entertainment gamein accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of a process performed by a gamblinghybrid game to provide an object alignment game in which an intermediatevalue item is awarded from the results of game play and gambling eventsin the game in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of a mobile device providing a gamblinghybrid game with an object alignment game as an entertainment game inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates different devices providing gambling hybrid gameswith object alignment entertainment games in accordance with embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a process for awarding aplayer for based on a gambling event and game play in a gambling hybridgame having an object alignment game as an entertainment game inaccordance with embodiments of the invention

FIG. 19 illustrates a conceptual diagram of actions that occur in agambling hybrid game that has an object alignment game as anentertainment game in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for providing an objectalignment game as an entertainment game of a gambling hybrid game inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Inaccordance with many embodiments of the invention, a gambling hybridgame (HyG) provides an object alignment game as an entertainment gamethat allows players the opportunity to play the object alignment game,with the addition of a gambling element based on game play. Inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, an object alignment gameis a puzzle game in which a player aligns matching objects in rowsand/or columns containing different objects. The gambling hybrid gamealso provides a gambling game in which the outcomes of a gambling eventand associated wagers are determined solely on the outcome of an RNGbased gaming module. In accordance with many of these embodiments, thegambling hybrid game offers an enriched gaming experience, based on gameplay of the object alignment game provided by an entertainment enginewhich through the game world engine (GWE) of the gambling hybrid gametriggers real world gambling events via the real world engine (RWE).

Hybrid Gaming Systems

In accordance with many embodiments of the invention, a gambling hybridgame integrates high-levels of entertainment content with a game ofskill (entertainment game) and a gambling experience with a game ofchance (gambling game). A gambling hybrid game provides for randomoutcomes independent of player skill while providing that the user'sgaming experience (as measured by obstacles/challenges encountered, timeof play and other factors) is shaped by the player's skill. The outcomeof a gambling proposition that is determined by a Random NumberGenerator (RNG) or other such device that provides a random outcome inresponse to a request. In accordance with some embodiments, the wagergame may be initiated in response to a game object related playeraction. A gambling hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The gambling hybrid game 128includes a Real World Engine (RWE) 102, a Game World Engine (GWE) 112,an Entertainment System Engine (ESE) 120, a gambling game user interface122 and an entertainment game user interface 124. The two userinterfaces can be part of the same user interface but are separate inthe illustrated embodiment. The RWE 102 is connected with the GWE 112and the gambling game user interface 122. The ESE 120 is connected withthe GWE 112 and the entertainment game user interface 124. The GWE 112is connected also with the entertainment game user interface 124.

In accordance with several embodiments, the RWE 102 is the operatingsystem for the gambling game of the gambling hybrid game 128 andcontrols and operates the gambling game. The operation of a gamblinggame is enabled by Real World Currency (RC), such as money or other realworld funds. A gambling game can increase or decrease an amount of RCbased on random gambling outcomes, where the gambling proposition of agambling game is typically regulated by gaming control bodies. In manyembodiments, the RWE includes a Real World (RW) operating system (OS)104, RNG 106, level n real-world credit pay tables (table Ln-RC) 108, RCmeters 110 and other software constructs that enable a game of chance tooffer a fair and transparent gambling proposition, and to contain theauditable systems and functions that can enable the game to obtaingaming regulatory body approval.

A random number generator (RNG) 106 includes software and/or hardwarealgorithms and/or processes, which are used to generate random outcomes.A level n real-world credit pay table (table Ln-RC) 108 is a table thatcan be used in conjunction with a random number generator (RNG) 106 todictate the RC earned as a function of sponsored gameplay and isanalogous to the pay tables used in a conventional slot machine. TableLn-RC payouts are independent of player skill. There can be one table ormultiple tables included in Ln-RC pay tables 108 contained in a gamblinggame, the selection of which can be determined by factors including (butnot limited to) game progress that a player has earned, and/or bonusrounds for which a player can be eligible. RCs are credits analogous toslot machine game credits, which are entered into a gambling game by theuser, either in the form of money such as hard currency or electronicfunds. RCs can be decremented or augmented based on the outcome of arandom number generator according to the table Ln-RC real world creditspay table 108, independent of player skill. In certain embodiments, anamount of RC can be used as criteria in order to enter higher ESE gamelevels. RC can be carried forward to higher game levels or paid out if acash out is opted for by a player. The amount of RC used to enter aspecific level of the game level n need not be the same for each level.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the GWE 112manages the overall gambling hybrid game operation, with the RWE 102 andthe ESE 120 effectively being support units to the GWE 112. Inaccordance with some of these embodiments, the GWE 112 containsmechanical, electronic, and software systems for an entertainment game.The GWE 112 includes an operating system (OS) 114 that provides controlof the entertainment game. The GWE additionally contains a level n gameworld credit pay table (table Ln-GWC) 116 from where to take input fromthis table to affect the play of the entertainment game. The GWE 112 canfurther couple to the RWE 102 to determine the amount of RC available onthe game and other metrics of wagering on the gambling game (andpotentially affect the amount of RC in play on the RWE). The GWEadditionally contains various audit logs and activity meters (such asthe GWC meter) 118. The GWE 112 can also couple to a centralized serverfor exchanging various data related to the player and their activitieson the game. The GWE 112 furthermore couples to the ESE 120.

In accordance with some embodiments, a level n game world credit paytable (Table Ln-GWC) 116 dictates the Game World Credit (GWC) earned asa function of player skill in the nth level of the game. The payoutsgoverned by this table are dependent upon player skill and sponsoredgameplay at large and can or cannot be coupled to a RNG. In accordancewith some embodiments, GWCs are player points earned or depleted as afunction of player skill, specifically as a function of playerperformance in the context of the game. GWC is analogous to the score ina typical video game. Each entertainment game has one or more scoringcriterion, embedded within the table Ln-GWC 116 that reflects playerperformance against the goal(s) of the game. GWCs can be carried forwardfrom one level of sponsored gameplay to another, and ultimately paid outin various manners such as directly in cash, or indirectly such as byearning entrance into a sweepstakes drawing, or earning participationin, or victory in, a tournament with prizes. GWCs can be stored on aplayer tracking card or in a network-based player tracking system, wherethe GWCs are attributed to a specific player.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the operation of the GWE doesnot affect the RWE's gambling operation except for player choiceparameters that are allowable in slot machines, including but notlimited to, wager terms such as, but not limited to, a wager amount, howfast the player wants to play (by pressing a button or pulling thehandle of a slot machine), and/or agreement to wager into a bonus round.In this sense, the RWE 102 provides a fair and transparent, non-skillbased gambling proposition co-processor to the GWE 112. In theillustrated embodiment, the communication link shown between the GWE 112and the RWE 102 allows the GWE 112 to obtain information from the RWE102 as to the amount of RC available in the gambling game. Thecommunication link can also convey a status operation of the RWE (suchas on-line or tilt). The communication link can further communicate thevarious gambling control factors which the RWE 102 uses as input, suchas the number of RC consumed per game or the player's election to entera jackpot round. In FIG. 1, the GWE 112 is also shown as connecting tothe players user interface directly, as this can be utilized tocommunicate certain entertainment game club points, player status,control the selection of choices and messages which a player can finduseful in order to adjust the entertainment game experience orunderstand their gambling status in the RWE 102.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the ESE 120manages and controls the visual, audio, and player control for theentertainment game. In accordance with certain embodiments, the ESE 120accepts input from a player through a set of hand controls, and/or head,gesture, and/or eye tracking systems and outputs video, audio and/orother sensory output to a user interface. In accordance with manyembodiments, the ESE 120 can exchange data with and accept controlinformation from the GWE 112. In accordance with some of theseembodiments, an ESE 120 can be implemented using a personal computer(PC), a Sony PlayStation® (a video game console developed by SonyComputer Entertainment of Tokyo Japan), or Microsoft Xbox® (a video gameconsole developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.) running aspecific entertainment game software program. In accordance with some ofthese embodiments, ESE 120 can be an electromechanical game system of adraw certificate based gambling hybrid game that is an electromechanicalhybrid game. An electromechanical hybrid game executes anelectromechanical game for player entertainment. The electromechanicalgame can be any game that utilizes both mechanical and electricalcomponents, where the game operates as a combination of mechanicalmotions performed by at least one player or the electromechanical gameitself. Various electromechanical hybrid games are discussed in PatentCooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US12/58156, filed Sep. 29, 2012,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

The ESE 120 operates mostly independently from the GWE 112, except thatvia the interface, the GWE 112 can send certain entertainment gamecontrol parameters and elements to the ESE 120 to affect its play, suchas (but not limited to) what level of character to be using, changingthe difficulty level of the game, changing the type of gun or car inuse, and/or requesting potions to become available or to be found by thecharacter. These game control parameters and elements can be based on agambling outcome of a gambling game that was triggered by an element inthe entertainment game being acted upon by the player. The ESE 120 canaccept this input from the GWE 112, make adjustments, and continueentertainment game gameplay all the while running seamlessly from theplayers perspective. The ESE's operation is mostly skill based, exceptfor where the ESE's processes can inject complexities into the game bychance in its normal operation to create unpredictability in theentertainment game. Utilizing this interface, the ESE 120 can alsocommunicate player choices made in the game to the GWE 112, such as butnot limited to selection of a different gun, and/or the player pickingup a special potion in the GW environment. The GWE's function in thisarchitecture, being interfaced with the ESE 120, is to allow thetransparent coupling of entertainment software to a fair and transparentrandom chance gambling game, providing a seamless perspective to theplayer that they are playing a typical popular entertainment game (whichis skill based). In accordance with certain embodiments, the ESE 120 canbe used to enable a wide range of entertainment games including but notlimited to popular titles from arcade and home video games, such as butnot limited to Gears of War (a third person shooter game developed byEpic Games of Cary, N.C.), Time Crisis (a shooter arcade game developedby Namco Ltd of Tokyo, Japan), or Madden Football (an American footballvideo game developed by EA Tiburon of Maitland, Fla.). Providers of suchsoftware can provide the previously described interface by which the GWE120 can request amendments to the operation of the ESE software in orderto provide seamless and sensible operation as both a gambling game andan entertainment game.

In accordance with some embodiments, the RWE 102 can accept a trigger torun a gambling game in response to actions taken by the player in theentertainment game as conveyed by the ESE 120 to the GWE 112, or astriggered by the GWE 112 based on its algorithms, background to theoverall game from the player's perspective, but can provide informationto the GWE 112 to expose the player to certain aspects of the gamblinggame, such as (but not limited to) odds, amount of RC in play, andamount of RC available. The RWE 102 can accept modifications in theamount of RC wagered on each individual gambling try, or the number ofgambling games per minute the RWE 102 can execute, entrance into a bonusround, and other factors, all the while these factors can take adifferent form than that of a typical slot machine. An example of avarying wager amount that the player can choose can include, but is notlimited to, gameplay with a more powerful character, a more powerfulgun, or a better car. These choices can increase or decrease the amountwagered per individual gambling game, in the same manner that a standardslot machine player can decide to wager more or less credits for eachpull of the handle. In accordance with some of these embodiments, theRWE 102 can communicate a number of factors back and forth to the GWE112, via an interface, such increase/decrease in wager being a functionof the player's decision making as to their operational profile in theentertainment game (such as but not limited to the power of thecharacter, gun selection or car choice). In this manner, the player isalways in control of the per game wager amount, with the choice mappingto some parameter or component that is applicable to the entertainmentgame experience of the hybrid game. In accordance with a particularembodiment, the RWE 102 operation can be a game of chance as a gamblinggame running every 10 seconds where the amount wagered is communicatedfrom the GWE 112 as a function of choices the player makes in theoperation profile in the entertainment game.

In many embodiments, a gambling hybrid game integrates a video gamestyle gambling machine, where the gambling game (including an RWE 102and RC) is not player skill based, while at the same time allows playersto use their skills to earn club points which a casino operator cantranslate to rewards, tournament opportunities and prizes for theplayers. The actual exchange of monetary funds earned or lost directlyfrom gambling against a game of chance in a gambling game, such as aslot machine, is preserved. At the same time, a rich environment ofrewards to stimulate gamers can be established with the entertainmentgame. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the gambling hybridgame can leverage very popular titles with garners and provides a seachange environment for casinos to attract players with games that aremore akin to the type of entertainment that a younger generationdesires. In accordance with various embodiments, players can use theirskill towards building and banking GWC that in turn can be used to wintournaments and various prizes as a function of their gamer prowess.Numerous embodiments minimize the underlying changes needed to theaforementioned entertainment software for the hybrid game to operatewithin an entertainment game construct, thus making a plethora ofcomplex game titles and environments, rapid and inexpensive to deploy ina gambling environment.

In accordance with some embodiments, gambling hybrid games also allowplayers to gain entry into subsequent competitions through theaccumulation of game world credits (GWC) as a function of the user'sdemonstrated skill at the game. These competitions can pit individualplayers or groups of players against one another and/or against thecasino to win prizes based upon a combination of chance and skill. Thesecompetitions can be either asynchronous events, whereby playersparticipate at a time and/or place of their choosing, or they can besynchronized events, whereby players participate at a specific timeand/or venue.

In accordance with some embodiments, one or more players engage inplaying an entertainment game, resident in the ESE, the outcomes ofwhich are dependent at least in part on skill. The gambling hybrid gamecan include an entertainment game that includes head to head playbetween a single player and the computer, between two or more playersagainst one another, or multiple players playing against the computerand/or each other, as well as the process by which players bet on theoutcome of the entertainment game. The entertainment game can also be agame where the player is not playing against the computer or any otherplayer, such as in games where the player is effectively playing againsthimself or herself (such as but not limited to Solitaire and Babette).

The components provided by the RWE for a gambling hybrid game inaccordance with embodiments of the invention are shown in FIG. 2. Inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, the RWE includes aninternal bus 225 that connects an operating system OS 221, a RandomNumber Generator (“RNG”) 220, one or more pay tables (Table Ln-RC) 223which would control the functions of the RWE, a Random Number Generator(“RNG”) 220 to produce random numbers, one or more pay tables (TableLn-RC) 223, a wagering control module 222, an authorization accessmodule 224, and a RC credit meter 226 that are included in the RWE 204.The RW OS 221 controls the functions of the RWE. The RNG 220 includesone or more RNGs that are used to produce random numbers for use inresolving gambling events and other process requiring a random number todetermine an outcome. The one or more pay tables (Table Ln-RC) 223contain a plurality of factors indexed by the random number to bemultiplied with the RC wagered to determine the payout on a successfulwager. A wagering control module 222 performs the processes to resolve awager on a proposition of a gambling event. The resolution processincludes, but is not limited to, pulling random numbers, looking upfactors in Pay Tables, multiplying the factors by the amount of RCwagered, and administering a RC credit meter 226. A repository (a creditmeter) 926 maintains a record of the amount of RC which player hasdeposited in the game and has been accumulated by the player.

An external connection allows the RWE 204 to interface to another systemor device, which is shown in FIG. 2 as the internet 205 but may be anyother network and/or device. The authorization access module 224 of RWE204 is connected to the external connection and provides a method topermit access and command exchange between an external system and theRWE 904. The RWE 904 also contains storage for statuses, wagers, wageroutcomes, meters and other historical events in a storage device 116.

In some embodiments, the RWE communicates with external systems toprovide various functions of a gambling hybrid game in accordance withembodiments of the invention. The components of an RWE that communicatewith an external system to provide a component of the RWE in accordancewith embodiments of the invention are shown in FIG. 3. The RWE 204 shownin FIG. 3 is similar to the RWE shown in FIG. 2. However, the RNG 220which is an external system connected to the RWE 204 by the internet 905in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The RNG 220 could be acentral deterministic system, such as a regulated and controlled randomnumbered ball selection device, or some other system which providesrandom or pseudo random numbers to one or a plurality of connected RWEs204. One skilled in the art will recognize that only RNG 220 is anexternal system in the shown embodiments. However, any of the componentscould be external systems without departing from the invention and RNG220 is shown as an example only.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the RWE 204 interfaces with other systems/devices orto an external RNG 220 using the Internet 205. However, one skilled inthe art will note that nothing would preclude using a differentinterface than the internet 205 in other embodiments of the invention.Other examples of interfaces include, but are not limited to, a LAN, aUSB interface, or some other method by which two electronic and softwareconstructs could communicate with each other.

The RWE and an external system typically communicate to provide theresolution of gambling events to resolve wagers on the events. Thesignals between the RWE and an external system to provide some processrelated to resolving gambling events in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention are shown in FIG. 4. In accordance with embodiments of theinvention, the primary function of the RWE 204 is to manage wageringevents and to provide random (or pseudo random) numbers from an RNG. Atthe top of the figure, a 6 component communication exchange grouped bythe “1” box is shown for a wager on a proposition in a gambling eventduring a gambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. An external system 450 that is requesting wagering supportfrom the RWE 204 instructs the RWE 204 as to the pay table (Table Ln-RC)to use (410), followed by the amount of RC to wager on the propositionof the gambling event (412). Next, the external system 450 signals theRWE to trigger a wager or perform the gambling event (414). The RWE 204resolves the gambling event. The RWE 204 then informs external system450 as to the outcome of the wager (416), the amount of RC won (418),and the amount of RC in the player's account (in the credit repository)(420).

A second communication exchange between the RWE 204 and an externalsystem 450 in accordance with embodiments of the invention that is shownin FIG. 4 is grouped by the “2” box in FIG. 4 and relates to theexternal system 450 needing an RNG result support from the RWE 204. Inthis exchange, the external system 450 requests an RNG result from theRWE 204 (430). The RWE 204 returns an RNG result to the external 450 inresponse to the request (432). The result may be generated as a functionof the internal RNG in the RWE 204, or from an RNG external to the RWE204 to which the RWE 204 is connected.

A third communication exchange between the RWE 204 and the externalsystem 405 in accordance with embodiments of the invention that is shownin FIG. 4 is grouped by the “3” box in the figure and relates to theexternal system 450 wanting support on coupling an RNG result to aparticular Pay Table contained in the RWE 204. In this exchange, theexternal system 450 instructs the RWE as to the pay table (Table Ln-RC)to use 450. The external system then requests a result whereby the RNGresult is coupled to the requested Pay Table (442). The result isreturned to the external system 405 by RWE 204 (444). Such an aspect isdifferent from the first exchange shown by the box“1” sequence in thatno actual RC wager is conducted. However, such a process t might beuseful in coupling certain non-RC wagering entertainment game behaviorsand propositions to the same final resultant wagering return which isunderstood for the gambling hybrid game to conduct wagering.

In regards to FIG. 4, one skilled in the art will note that the thrustof the FIG. 4 is to convey overall functional exchanges between an RWE204 and an external system 450. As such, various protocol layersnecessary for error free and secure communication, and other status,setup, and configuration commands which one might expect in any protocolbetween two connected systems have been omitted for clarity.Furthermore, some or all of the various commands and responsesillustrated could be combined into one or more communication packetswithout departing from the invention.

The process flow for functional communication exchanges, such ascommunication exchanges described above with reference to FIG. 4,between a RWE and an external system in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention are shown in FIG. 5. The process begins by a RWE 204receiving signals from an external system requesting a connection to RWE204. The Access Authorization Module determines that the external systemauthorized to connect to RWE 204 (504) and transmits an authorizationresponse to the external system. The external systems that providerequests a request for a gambling event is to be performed to RWE 294(506). The request may include an indication of a wager amount on aproposition in the gambling event, and a proper pay table to use toresolve the wager. The external system then sends a signal to triggerthe gambling event (508).

The OS 221 instructs the Wager Control Module 222 as to the RC wager andthe Pay Table to select as well as to resolve the wager execute (510).In response to the request to execute the gambling event, the wagercontrol module 222 requests an RNG result from the RNG 220 (512);retrieves a proper pay table or tables from the pay tables 223 (514);adjusts the RC of the player in the RC repository 926 as instructed(516; applies the RNG result to the particular pay table or tables(518); and multiplies the resultant factor from the Pay Table by theamount of RC to determine the result of the wager (518). Wager ControlModule 222 then adds the amount of RC won by the wager to the RCrepository 426 (520); and provides the outcome of the wager, and theamount of RC in the RWE and the RC won (522). One skilled in the artwill recognize that there may be many embodiments of an RWE 204 whichcould be possible, including forms where many modules and components ofthe RWE are located in various servers and locations, so the foregoingis not meant to be exhaustive or all inclusive, but rather provideinformation about an RWE 204 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

A block diagram of components an ESE being provided by an ESE host for agambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention areshown in FIG. 6. An ESE 610 may be part of the entertainment gameitself, may be a software module that is executed by the entertainmentgame, or may provide an execution environment for the entertainment gamefor a particular host. The ESE 610 and associated entertainment game arehosted by an ESE host 600. The ESE host 600 is a computing device thatis capable of hosting the ESE 610 and the entertainment game. Exemplaryhosts include video game consoles, smart phones, personal computers,tablet computers, or the like. The entertainment game includes a gameengine 612 that generates a player interface 605 for interaction with bya player. The player interface includes a player presentation 635 thatis presented to a player through the player interface. The playerpresentation 635 may be audio, visual or tactile, or any combination ofsuch. The player interface 635 further includes one or more Human InputDevices (HIDs) 630 that the player uses to interact with theentertainment game. Various components or sub-engines of the game engineread data from a game state in order to implement the features of thegame. Components of the game engine include a physics engine 640 used tosimulate physical interactions between virtual objects in the gamestate, a rules engine 645 for implementing the rules of the game, an RNGthat may be used for influencing or determining certain variables and/oroutcomes to provide a randomizing influence on game play, a graphicsengine 650 used to generate a visual representation of the game state tothe player, an audio engine to generate audio outputs for the playerinterface, and any other engine needed to provide the entertainmentgame. The game engine 612 reads and writes game resources 615 stored ona data store of the ESE host. The game resources 615 include gameobjects 655 having graphics and/or control logic used to implement gameworld objects of the game engine. The game resources 615 also includevideo files 675 that are used to generate cut-scenes for theentertainment game. The game resources 615 may also include audio files660 used to generate music, sound effects, etc. within the entertainmentgame. The game resources 615 may also include configuration files 670used to configure the features of the entertainment game. The gameresources 615 may also include scripts 665 or other types of controlcode used to implement various game play features of the entertainmentgame. The game resources 615 may also include graphics resources 680including, but not limited to, textures, and objects that are used bythe game engine to render objects displayed in the entertainment game.

In operation, components of the game engine 612 read portions of thegame state 625 and generate the player presentation for the player whichis presented to the player using the player interface 605. The playerperceives the presentation 635 and provides player inputs using the HIDs630. The corresponding player inputs are received as player actions orinputs by various components of the game engine 612. The game enginetranslates the player actions into interactions with the virtual objectsof the game world stored in the game state 625. Components of the gameengine 612 use the player interactions with the virtual objects of thegame and the game state 625 to update the game state 625 and update thepresentation 635 presented to the user. The process loops in a game loopcontinuously while the player plays the game.

In some embodiments, the ESE is a host running a browser thatcommunicates with a server serving documents in a markup language, suchas Hypertext Markup Language 5 (HTML 5) or the like, and the functionsof the game engine are performed by the browser on the basis of themarkup language found in the documents. In some embodiments, the ESE isa host hosting a specialized software platform, such as Adobe Flash orthe like, used to implement games or other types of multimediapresentations, and the functions of the game engine are performed by thespecialized platform.

The ESE 610 provides one or more interfaces between an entertainmentgame and other components 620 of a gambling hybrid game, such as a GWE.The ESE 610 and the other gambling hybrid game component 620 communicatewith each other using the interfaces, such as by passing various typesof data and sending and receiving messages, status information, commandsand the like. Examples of communications include, but are not limitedto, requesting by the gambling hybrid game component 620 that the ESE610 update the game state using information provided by the othercomponent; requesting, by the gambling hybrid game component 620, thatthe ESE 610 update one or more game resources using information providedby the gambling hybrid game component 620; the ESE 610 providing all ora portion of the game state; the ESE 610 providing one or more of thegame resources to the gambling hybrid game component 620; and the ESE610 communicating player actions to the other gambling hybrid gamecomponent 620. The player actions may be low level player interactionswith the player interface, such as manipulation of an HID, or may behigh level interactions with objects as determined by the entertainmentgame. The player actions may also include resultant actions such asmodifications to the game state or game resources resulting from theplayer's actions taken in the game. Other examples of player actionsinclude actions taken by entities, such as Non-Player Characters (NPC)of the entertainment game, that act on behalf of, or under the controlof, the player.

Elements are a limited resource consumed within an entertainment game toadvance entertainment game gameplay. In playing the entertainment gameusing the elements, a player can (optionally) consume and accrue gameworld credits (GWC) within the entertainment game. These credits can bein the form of (but are not limited to) game world credits, experiencepoints, or points generally. Wagers can be made in the gambling game astriggered by the player's use of one or more elements of theentertainment game. The wagers are made using real world credits (RC).The real world credits can be credits in an actual currency, or can becredits in a virtual currency which may have a real world value.Gambling outcomes from the gambling game can cause consumption, loss oraccrual of RC. In addition, gambling outcomes in the gambling game caninfluence elements in the entertainment game such as (but not limitedto) by restoring a consumed element, causing the loss of an element,restoration or placement of a fixed element. In certain embodiments,gambling games can facilitate the wager of GWC for a randomly generatedpayout of GWC or a wager of elements for a randomly generated payout ofelements. In particular embodiments, an amount of GWC and/or elementsused as part of a wager can have a RC value if cashed out of a gameplaysession.

Example elements include enabling elements (EE) which are elements thatenable a player's play of the entertainment game and whose consumptionby the player while playing the entertainment game can trigger a wagerin a gambling game. Another non limiting example of an element is areserve enabling element (REE), which is an element that converts intoone or more enabling elements upon occurrence of a release event inskill wagering interleaved game gameplay. Other types of elementsinclude actionable elements (AE) which are elements that are acted uponto trigger a wager in the gambling game and may or may not be restorableduring normal play of the entertainment game. Another type of element isa common enabling element (CEE) which as an element that may be sharedby two or more players and the use of which by any of the players causesa wager to be triggered.

In progressing through entertainment game gameplay, elements can beutilized by a player during interactions with a controlled entity (CE)which is a character, entity, inanimate object, device or other objectunder control of a player.

Also, entertainment game gameplay progress and wager triggers can bedependent upon a game world variable such as, but not limited to: arequired game object (RGO) which is a specific game object in anentertainment game acted upon for an AE to be completed (such as but notlimited to a specific key needed to open a door); a requiredenvironmental condition (REC) which is a game state present within anentertainment game for an AE to be completed (such as but not limited todaylight whose presence enables a character to walk through woods); or acontrolled entity characteristic (CEC) which is a status of the CEwithin an entertainment game for an AE to be completed (such as but notlimited to a CE to have full health points before entering battle).Although various gameplay resources, such as but not limited to GWC, RCand elements as discussed above, any gameplay resource can be utilizedto advance gameplay as well as form the basis for a trigger of a wageras appropriate to the specification of a specific application inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. Various hybridgames are discussed in PCT Application Nos. PCT/US11/26768, filed Mar.1, 2011, PCT/US11/63587, filed Dec. 6, 2011, and PCT/US12/50204 filedAug. 9, 2012, each disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In accordance with some embodiments, a player can interact with agambling hybrid game by using RC in interactions with a gambling gamealong with GWC and elements in interactions with an entertainment game.The gambling game can be executed by a RWE while an entertainment gamecan be executed with an ESE and managed with a GWE. A conceptual diagramthat illustrates how resources such as GWC, RC and elements, such as butnot limited to enabling elements (EE), are utilized in a gambling hybridgame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIG. 7. The conceptual diagram illustrates that RC 704, EE 708 and GWC706 can be utilized by a player 702 in interactions with the RWE 710,GWE 712 and ESE 714 of a based gambling hybrid game 716. Thecontribution of elements, such as EE 708, can be linked to a player'saccess to credits, such as RC 704 or GWC 706. Electronic receipt ofthese credits can come via a smart card, voucher or other portablemedia, or as received over a network from a server. In accordance withcertain embodiments, these credits can be drawn on demand from a playerprofile located in a database locally on a gambling hybrid game or in aremote server.

A conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplay between aspects of agambling hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of the inventionusing real world credit (RC) is illustrated in FIG. 8. Similar to FIG.7, a player's actions and/or decisions can affect functions 806 thatconsume and/or accumulate GWC 802 and/or EE 804 in an entertainment gameexecuted by an ESE 810. A GWE 812 can monitor the activities takingplace within an entertainment game executed by an ESE 810 for gameplaygambling event occurrences. The GWE 812 can also communicate thegameplay gambling event occurrences to an RWE 814 that triggers a wagerof RC 816 in a gambling game executed by the RWE 814.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the following mayoccur during use of the gambling hybrid game. The user enters an inputthat represents an action or decision (850). The ESE 810 signals the GWE812 with the input decision or action (852). The GWE 812 responds bysignaling to ESE 810 with the amount of EE that is consumed by theplayer action or decision (854). The signaling from the GWE 812configures a function 806 to control the EE consumption, decay, and/oraccumulation.

The ESE 810 then adjusts the EE 804 accordingly (856). The GWE 812signals the RWE 814 as to the profile of the wager propositionassociated with the action or decision and triggers the wager (858). TheRWE 814 consumes the appropriate amount of RC 816 and executes the wager(860). The RWE 814 then adjusts the RC 816 based upon the outcome of thewager (862) and informs the GWE 812 as to the outcome of the wager(864).

The GWE 812 signals the ESE 810 to adjust EE to one or more of the EEsof the ESE entertainment game (866). Function 806 of the ESE 810performs the adjustment of EE 804 (868). The ESE 810 signals the GWE 812as to the updated status (870). In response, the GWE 812 signals the ESE810 to update GWC of the entertainment game. The ESE updates the GWC 802using a function 806 (872).

The following is an example of the above flow in a first person shootergame, such a Call of Duty®, using a gambling hybrid game sequence inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

The process begins by a player selecting a machine gun to use in thegame and then fires a burst of bullets at an opponent (850). The ESE 810signals the GWE 812 of the player's choice of weapon, that a burst ofbullets was fired, and the outcome of the burst (852). GWE 812 processesthe information received and signals ESE 810 to consume 3 bullets (EE)with each pull of the trigger (854). The ESE 810 consumes 3 bullets forthe burst using function 806 (856).

The GWE 812 signals the RWE 814 that 3 credits (RC) are to be wagered tomatch the three bullets consumed. The RWE 814 then determines the resultof the wager and may determine the winnings from a pay table. On aparticular pay table (Table Ln-RC), a determination is made by RWE 814as to the amount of damage that the opponent has sustained. The RWE 814consumes 3 credits of RC 816 for the wager and executes the specifiedwager (860). The RWE 814 determines that the player hit a jackpot of 6credits and returns the 6 credits to the RC 816 (862) and signals theGWE 812 that 3 net credits were won by the player (864).

The GWE 812 signals ESE 810 to add 3 bullets to an ammunition clip(866). ESE 810 adds 3 bullets back to the ammo clip (EE 804) using afunction 806 (868). The ammunition may be added by directly adding theammunition to the clip or by allowing the user to find extra ammunitionduring game play. The GWE 812 logs the new player score (GWC 802) in thegame (as a function of the successful hit on the opponent) based on theESE 810 signaling, and the signals the ESE 810 to add 2 extra points tothe player score since a jackpot has been won (870). The ESE 810 thenadds 10 points to the player score (GWC 802) given the success of thehit which in this example is worth 8 points, plus the 2 extra pointsrequested by GWE 812 (872). Note that the foregoing example is onlyintended to provide an illustration of how credits flow in a gamblinghybrid game, but is not intended to be exhaustive and only lists onlyone of numerous possibilities of how a gambling hybrid game may beconfigured to manage its fundamental credits.

A conceptual diagram that illustrates the interplay between aspects of agambling hybrid game in accordance with an embodiment of the inventionusing virtual real world credit (VRC) is illustrated in FIG. 9. As seenin the FIG. 9, substituting VRC in place of RC is effected withoutimpact to the architecture or operation of the gambling hybrid game. Theimplementation of FIG. 9 is not the only embodiment using virtualcurrency within a gambling hybrid game, but shows only one permutationof which many could exist.

Similar to FIG. 8, a player's actions and/or decisions can affectfunctions 906 that consume and/or accumulate GWC 902 and/or EE 904 in anentertainment game executed by an ESE 910 in the process shown in FIG.9. A GWE 912 can monitor the activities taking place within anentertainment game executed by an ESE 910 for gameplay gambling eventoccurrences. The GWE 912 can also communicate the gameplay gamblingevent occurrences to a RWE 914. Unlike the process shown in FIG. 8, RWE914 triggers a wager of virtual real world credit (VRC) 916 in agambling game executed by the RWE 914.

For purposes of this discussion, VRC can be thought of as a form ofalternate currency, which can be acquired, purchased or transferred, inunit or in bulk, by/to a player, but does not necessarily directlycorrelate to RC or real currency. As an example, there is a virtualcurrency called “Triax Jacks”, 1000 units of which are given to a playerby an operator of a gambling hybrid game, with additional blocks of 1000units being available for purchase for $5 USD each block. Triax Jackscould be redeemed for various prizes, or could never be redeemed butsimply used and traded purely for entertainment value by players. Itwould be completely consistent with the architecture of the gamblinghybrid game that Triax Jacks would be wagered in place of RC, such thatthe gambling hybrid game could be played for free, or with played withoperator sponsored Triax Jacks.

Returning to the process in FIG. 9, the following may occur during useof the gambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. The user enters an input that represents an action ordecision (950). The ESE 910 signals the GWE 912 with the input decisionor action (952). The GWE 912 responds by signaling to ESE 910 with theamount of EE that is consumed by the player action or decision (954).The signaling from the GWE 912 configures a function 906 to control theEE consumption, decay, and/or accumulation.

The ESE 910 then adjusts the EE 904 accordingly (956). The GWE 912signals the RWE 914 as to the profile of the wager propositionassociated with the action or decision and triggers the wager (958). TheRWE 914 consumes the appropriate amount of RC 916 and executes the wager(960). The RWE 914 then adjusts the RC 916 based upon the outcome of thewager (962) and informs the GWE 912 as to the outcome of the wager(964).

The GWE 912 signals the ESE 910 to adjust EE to one or more of the EEsof the ESE entertainment game (966). Function 906 of the ESE 910performs the adjustment of EE 904 (968). The ESE 910 signals the GWE 912as to the updated status (970). In response, the GWE 912 signals the ESE910 to update GWC 902 of the entertainment game. The ESE updates the GWC902 using a function 906 (972).

Network Based Gambling Hybrid Game

A system diagram that illustrates an implementation of a networkdistributed gambling hybrid game with a GWE local server in accordancewith embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10. In thefigure, the gambling hybrid game 1000 includes components, RWE 1002embedded in a device used as the user interface for player 1003. Thedevice provides both a RWE/GWE user interface 1005 and an ESE userinterface 1007 for the player. The ESE is provisioned by an ESE hostingserver 1004 via ESE interface 1009, and the GWE is provisioned by GWEserver 1006 as indicated by the dashed line. Also pictured in thediagram are a number of other peripheral systems, such as playermanagement 1008, casino management 1010, regulatory 1012, hybrid gameplayer account management 1014, and taxation authority 1016 hostingservers that may be present in such an implementation. FIG. 10 alsoillustrates various other systems, which may reside outside the boundsof the casino and are connected to the framework via communicationsnetwork, such as the Internet 1020, depicted by the connection linespast the casino firewall 1022. The end devices utilized for userinterfaces for a gambling hybrid game include, but are not limited to,casino electronic game machines 1030 and wireless or portable devices,such as smart phone 1032, personal digital assistants, tablet computers,video gaming consoles or the like. These disparate devices are connectedwithin and without the casino through the casino's informationtechnology structure as illustrated by routers 1040 a, 1040 b and 1040c. It should be understood that FIG. 10 does not attempt to illustrateall servers and systems to which a gambling hybrid game 1000 might beinevitably be connected, and indeed one might expect there would beothers, but rather provides an example of a set of a sub-set of systemswhich would be present in an exemplary embodiment of an installation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another implementation of a gambling hybridgame in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the figure, thegambling hybrid game 1101 includes components, RWE 1104 embedded in adevice used as the user interface for player 1103. The device providesboth a RWE/GWE user interface 1105 and an ESE user interface 1007 forthe player. The ESE is provisioned by an ESE hosting server 1104 via ESEinterface 1109. Also pictured in the diagram are a number of otherperipheral systems, such as player management 1108, casino management1110, regulatory 1112, hybrid game player account management 1114, andtaxation authority 1116 hosting servers that may be present in such animplementation. In the figure, note that the GWE is composed of twosub-components, a local GWE server 1120, and a cloud server 1122.(components within the dash line area 1124). In the figure, certain ofthe components are located within the bounds of the casino, namely theRWE, the ESE and a portion of the GWE, namely the local GWE server 1120.The Cloud Server GWE 1122 is located in the cloud connected to thecasino bounded gambling hybrid game components via communicationsnetwork such as the Internet 1130 through a firewall 1132. FIG. 11 alsoillustrates various other systems, which may reside outside the boundsof the casino and are connected to the framework via communicationsnetwork. The end devices utilized for user interfaces for a gamblinghybrid game include, but are not limited to, casino electronic gamemachines, 1134 a and 1134 b, and wireless or portable devices, such assmart phone 1136, personal digital assistants, tablet computers, videogaming consoles or the like. These disparate devices are connectedwithin and without the casino through the casino's informationtechnology structure as illustrated by routers 1140 a, 1140 b and 1140c. It should be understood that FIG. 11 does not attempt to illustrateall servers and systems to which a gambling hybrid game might beinevitably be connected, and indeed one might expect there would beothers, but rather provides an example of a set of a sub-set of systemswhich would be present in an exemplary embodiment of an installation.

A system diagram that illustrates an implementation of network a cloudbased gambling hybrid game over the Internet in accordance with anembodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. The systemincludes an ESE server 1202, GWE server 1204 and RWE server 1206 thateach connect to a user interface, 1210 a or 1210 b, (such as, but notlimited to, a television screen, computer terminal, tablet, touchscreenor PDA) of gambling hybrid games over the Internet 1208. Each gamblinghybrid game includes a local ESE 1212 a or 1212 b (such as, but notlimited to, a video game console or a gaming computer system) thatinterfaces with a remote ESE server 1002. Processes performed by an ESE1212 a services can be performed in multiple locations, such as, but notlimited to, remotely on an ESE server 1202 and locally on a local ESE1212 a. In addition, a gambling hybrid game may include a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA) 1214 or other type of mobile computing devicegame coupled to the ESE hosting server 1202, thus providing theopportunity for a player to play a gambling hybrid game on the PDAthrough a mobile phone or data network.

There are many possible permutations of how a gambling hybrid game couldbe constructed, with FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 showing only three possiblepermutations and provided as examples, which are not intended to suggestlimitations to the forms of the architecture. Other embodiments includea version where the entire gambling hybrid game is in the cloud withonly a client running on player terminal within the bounds of thecasino, or a version where the RWE and GWE are casino bound and the ESEexists in the cloud, accessed by a client running on a terminal in thecasino.

Processing Apparatuses

Any of a variety of processing apparatuses can host various componentsof a gambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, theseprocessing apparatuses can include, but are not limited to, mobiledevice such as a smartphone, personal digital assistant or the like, awireless device such as a tablet computer or the like, an electronicgaming machine, a general purpose computer, a computing device and/or acontroller. A processing apparatus that is constructed to implement agambling hybrid game in accordance with embodiments of the invention isillustrated in FIG. 13. In the processing apparatus 1300, a processor1304 is coupled to a memory 1306 by a bus 1328. The processor 1304 isalso coupled to non-transitory processor-readable storage media, such asa storage device 1308 that stores processor-executable instructions 1312and data 1310 through the system bus 1328 to an I/O bus 1326 through astorage controller 1318. The processor 1304 is also coupled to one ormore interfaces that can be used to connect the processor to otherprocessing apparatuses as well as networks as described herein. Theprocessor 1304 is also coupled via the bus to user input devices 1314,such as tactile devices including, but not limited to, keyboards,keypads, foot pads, touch screens, and/or trackballs; as well asnon-contact devices such as audio input devices, motion sensors andmotion capture devices that the processing apparatus can use to receiveinputs from a user when the user interacts with the processingapparatus. The processor 1304 is connected to these user input devices1314 through the system bus 1328, to the I/O bus 1326 and through theinput controller 1320. The processor 1304 is also coupled via the bus touser output devices 1316 such as (but not limited to) visual outputdevices, audio output devices, and/or tactile output devices that theprocessing apparatus uses to generate outputs perceivable by the userwhen the user interacts with the processing apparatus. In accordancewith some embodiments, the processor is coupled to visual output devicessuch as (but not limited to) display screens, light panels, and/orlighted displays. In accordance with particular embodiments, theprocessor is coupled to audio output devices such as (but not limitedto) speakers, and/or sound amplifiers. In accordance with many of theseembodiments, the processor 1304 is coupled to tactile output deviceslike vibrators, and/or manipulators. The processor 1304 is connected tooutput devices from the system bus 1328 to the I/O bus 1326 and throughthe output controller 1322. The processor 1304 can also be connected toa communications interface 1302 from the system bus 1328 to the I/O bus1326 through a communications controller 1324.

In accordance with various embodiments, a processor 1304 can loadinstructions and data from the storage device into the memory 1306. Theprocessor 1304 can also execute instructions that operate on the data toimplement various aspects and features of the components of a gamblinghybrid game. The processor 1304 can utilize various input and outputdevices in accordance with the instructions and the data in order tocreate and operate user interfaces for players or operators of agambling hybrid game (such as but not limited to a casino that hosts thegambling hybrid game).

Although the processing apparatus 1300 is described herein as beingconstructed from a processor and instructions stored and executed byhardware components, the processing apparatus can be composed of onlyhardware components in accordance with other embodiments. In addition,although the storage device is described as being coupled to theprocessor through a bus, those skilled in the art of processingapparatuses will understand that the storage device can includeremovable media such as, but not limited to, a USB memory device, anoptical CD ROM, magnetic media such as tape and disks. Also, the storagedevice can be accessed by processor 1304 through one of the interfacesor over a network. Furthermore, any of the user input devices or useroutput devices can be coupled to the processor 1304 via one of theinterfaces or over a network. In addition, although a single processor1304 is described, those skilled in the art will understand that theprocessor 1304 can be a controller or other computing device or aseparate computer as well as be composed of multiple processors orcomputing devices including one or more processors.

Provision of an Object Alignment Entertainment Game by a Gambling HybridGame

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the entertainment gameprovided by a gambling hybrid game is an object alignment game. Anobject alignment game is a puzzle game in which a player aligns matchingobjects in rows and/or columns of a grid containing many different typesof objects. The goal in an object alignment game is to form as manylines of matching objects having at least a minimum length in a certainamount of time.

The entertainment engine of the gambling hybrid game provides theentertainment game in particular, an object alignment game, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. The game world engine ofthe gambling hybrid game monitors the play of the object alignment gameby the entertainment engine and determines when gambling events occurbased on the play of the object alignment game. The real world enginethen resolves the gambling event by determining the result of thegambling and any wagers associated with the gambling event. A processperformed by a gambling hybrid game to provide an object alignmententertainment game in accordance with embodiments of the invention isshown in FIG. 14.

In process 1400, the player begins playing the gambling hybrid game(1405). Upon starting the game, the player selects (1410) between usingeither a player account to provide Real World Credits (RC) and/or gameworld credits (GWC) for play (1425) or may play a stand-alone or hostversion (1415) of the game in which RC and/or GWC is entered on aper-play basis. Regardless of the type of game play selected, the playerthen chooses the denominations or wagering amount to use during gameplay (1430). The gambling hybrid game then displays the wagering amountsand the relative value of the objects being aligned (1435). Theentertainment engine then provides the game play of the object alignmentgame (1440). During game play, the player moves an object, such as agem, within a grid of objects (1445). The entertainment enginedetermines the result of the move as part of game play (1450) anddisplays the result as part of the game play (1455).

The game world engine detects the movement of the object and may triggera gambling event. If a gambling event is triggered, the game worldengine requests that the real world engine determine the result of thegambling event and associated wagers to resolve the gambling event(1460). The real world engine determines the results of the gamblingevent and any associated wagers by the player (1465). The results of thegambling event are then provided by the real world engine to the gameworld engine (1470) and the results of any wagers are displayed to theplayer (1475). The game play of the object alignment game then continues(1480).

In accordance with some embodiments, the result of a gambling eventand/or a combination of the results of the gambling event and game playof the object alignment game are used to determine an intermediate valueitem to award a player. For purposes of this discussion the intermediatevalue item is hereinafter referred to as quanta. The quanta can then beused to purchase game items or change the value of game parameters. Aprocess performed by a gambling hybrid game providing an objectalignment game to award quanta based on the result of a gambling eventand the results of game play of the object alignment game in accordancewith embodiments of the invention is show in FIG. 15.

In process 1500, the player moves an object in the grid of objects(1505). The entertainment engine then determines the results of the moveand updates the game parameters including, but not limited to, thescore. The game world engine detects the movement of the object anddetermines whether a gambling event is to occur. In accordance with someembodiments of the invention, a gambling event is triggered by thealignment of three or more matching objects in a row and/or column. Inother embodiments, the game world engine can detect any of a variety oftriggering events appropriate to the requirements of a specificapplication. To resolve the gambling event, the game world enginerequests that the real world engine determine the result of the gamblingevent and associated wagers (1512). The real world engine determines theresults of the gambling event and any associated wagers by the player(1515). The results of the gambling event are then provided by the realworld engine to the game world engine (1520) and the results of anywagers are displayed to the player.

The game world engine obtains the results of the gambling event andassociated wagers from the real world engine; and the results of themovement of the object from the entertainment engine. From the resultsof the gambling event and the game play, the game world enginedetermines an amount of quanta to award the player (1525). If quanta isawarded (1530), the amount of quanta awarded, and/or the total amount ofquanta possessed by the player are displayed (1535). Regardless of theaward of quanta, game play of the object alignment game is continued bythe entertainment engine (1540). During game play, quanta options may bemade available (1545) to the player. For purposes of this discussion,quanta options are options for a player to use an amount of quanta tochange a game parameter. For example, a certain amount of quanta may beused to change a certain number of objects in the grid to differenttypes of object, to change the orientation of the gird or effect theamount of points award for each alignment of matching objects. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that these are only examples and otherchanges to the game parameters of the object alignment game may beoffered without departing from embodiments of the invention.

If the player selects a quanta option (1550), the amount of the optionis deducted from the quanta total of the player. The game parameters arechanged according to the option selected and the updated quanta total isdisplayed for the player (1535). The game play of the object alignmentgame continues (1540) with the changed parameters.

A gambling hybrid game having an object alignment entertainment gameprovided by a mobile electronic device in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention is shown in FIG. 16. As illustrated in FIG. 16, mobiledevice 1600 has a display of an object alignment entertainment gameincluding a grid 1605 of objects 1610. In FIG. 16 each object 1610 is agem of a particular color and/or shape. The player moves an object 1610as indicated by arrow 1615 to cause alignment of the object withmatching objects along a column of grid 1600.

Various devices that provide a gambling hybrid game having an objectalignment entertainment game in accordance with embodiments of theinvention are show connected to a network in FIG. 17. The gamblinghybrid gaming system may be deployed as an electronic game on a varietyof hosts. For example, the gambling hybrid gaming system may be deployedon a gaming cabinet 1705 as used in a traditional land-based casino. Thegambling hybrid gaming system may be deployed on a mobile computingdevice 1710 such as, but not limited to, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, etc. The gamblinghybrid gaming system may also be deployed on a game console 1715, suchas, but not limited to, an XBox™, Playstation™, etc. The gambling hybridgaming system may also be deployed on a Personal Computer (PC) 1720 orother computing system. Each of the hosts may be operatively connectedto other hosts via a network. Furthermore, each of the hosts may also befurther operatively connected to other types of systems and hosts aspreviously described herein.

A conceptual view of the provision of a gambling hybrid game having anobject alignment game as an entertainment game in accordance withembodiments of the invention is shown in FIG. 18. During gameplay of theobject alignment game, a player is presented with a grid 1605 of objects1610. Each object is one of a certain number of types. As illustrated inFIG. 18, the ultimate goal is for the player to align at least a certainnumber of matching objects 1610 in a row and/or column in the grid 1600.The aligned matching objects 1805 in the grid 1600 are then replaced bydifferent objects 1605 and gameplay continues until either a certainnumber of matches are made or a time period expires. As the playeraligns various matching objects, the player is awarded points for thealignment and additional jewels are added to the top of the grid ofobjects that as illustrated in FIG. 18. In variants of the games (e.g.Butterflies, Diamond Mine, etc.), special features provide additionalcomplexity to the game play. For example, in “Butterflies”, a player hasto release the butterflies and prevent them from migrating to the top ofthe game board where they can be consumed by a spider. In “DiamondMine”, the player competes against the clock to dig a mine whilecreating rows of jewels, “L” shaped jewel patterns or “T” shaped jewelpatterns among other things.

In the accordance with embodiments of the invention, the EE of an objectalignment game can take on one or more forms in various implementations.In accordance with embodiments where the player is playing against agame- or real-time-clock, the EE can be, but is not limited to, one ormore increment(s) of unit time. In accordance with embodiments where thegame play is based on a number of moves, the EE can be, but is notlimited to, each move, i.e. a swap of jewels and/or the activation ofHypercubes. In accordance with some embodiments, the actions that are EEcan also be and/or alternatively be characterized as AE. The EE can alsobe a range of items or actions that may or may not be available at theonset of a game and/or level including, but not limited to, thedeployment of star gems, special gems, time gems, the ability to resetthe game board, and the ability to reshuffle the game board.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a player screendisplays a measure of quanta available to the player and a library ofentertainment game elements that the quanta may be used to obtain. Inaccordance with some embodiments, the entertainment game elements areobtained by using quanta to purchase the elements. Quanta corresponds tothe success in the gambling game and may be modified by other gamefactors as described above.

Example of a Gambling Hybrid Game Having an Object AlignmentEntertainment Game

One example of a gambling hybrid game having an object alignmententertainment game is a gambling hybrid game that provides a jewelalignment entertainment game similar to Bejeweled™. Play of the gamblinghybrid game providing the jewel alignment entertainment game begins witha player entering RC into the machine. A minimum amount of RC isrequired by the casino or other type of provider to enable play. Theplayer then sets the denomination by selecting how much RC to allocateto each type of EE in the game. The relative value of each EE type isset as function of the gambling hybrid game in accordance with some ofthese embodiments, Alternatively, the relative value of EE types is setindependently for each type of EE by the player in accordance with someother embodiments. For example, the following table shows the relativevalue of each type of EE as follows in an embodiment where the relativevalue of various EE types is set by as a function of the gambling hybridgame.

EE Type Relative Value Jewel swap 1 Hypercube activation 2 Reshuffle thegame board 4 Receive hint showing highest point value move 4 Shift allbutterflies down one row 3 Add 10 time units to the game clock 3 Replaceany gem on board with a star gem 5

One skilled in the art will note that not all types of EE shown may beavailable in any given embodiment of a gambling hybrid game, and othertypes of EE not listed may also be included without departing from theseembodiments. A number of these types of EE may also only be acquirableby consuming Quanta that the player has earned, and the consumption ofthe EE so acquired may or may not cause the commitment of player RC to agambling game.

The player then sets the amount of credits to assign to each type of EEby setting a base denomination. For example, the player sets a basedenomination of $0.25. The following table show the value of each EEtype as relates to initiating gambling games in which the basedenomination is $0.25:

EE Type Relative Value EE Value (RC) Jewel swap 1 $0.25 Hypercubeactivation 2 $0.50 Reshuffle game board 4 $1.00 Add 10 time units 3$0.75 Replace any gem 5 $1.25

Each EE has a different pay table associated with the particular EE, andthe pay tables information is described to the player in general orspecific terms as part of a set up process or introductory screens inaccordance with some embodiments of this gambling hybrid game. Theinformation may also be available at all times through a drop-down orpull-up display of “info”, a separate physical display, a graphicaloverlay or other user interface in accordance with some of these orother embodiments of this gambling hybrid game.

In accordance with some embodiments, a “Jewel Swap” is an AE not an EE,in so far as there need not be an explicit limit on the number of jewelswaps a player can affect during game play. However, the number of“Jewel Swaps” is limited by available RC to gamble as a function ofAE-based triggers in accordance with some embodiments.

Once the base denomination is set, the player commences play. If theplayer has played the game before, the player may have the ability toselect one of a multitude of levels to play as a function of informationstored in a player account of the particular player. In accordance withsome embodiments, the player commences play at a prescribed level.Players that demonstrate exceptional skill may also be exposed tospecific “bonus” levels with enhanced game play (in terms of theentertainment and/or gambling game play).

The player plays the game by swapping the position of jewels within aprescribed game board or grid. In accordance with one embodiment, eachtime the player swaps jewels, (EE) is consumed (i.e. a limited number ofswaps are afforded the player), and a wager corresponding to the EEValue on a gambling event based on the swap is initiated in the RWE, andthe player's RC is reduced accordingly. The outcome of the gambling andassociated wager may cause RC to increase and may cause an accumulationof Quanta. In accordance with some other embodiments, the number ofjewel swaps is limited by the arrangement of the jewels in the grid atthe onset of play, as well as the successive replacement of jewels asjewels are removed due to player actions. In accordance with theseembodiments, the limited amount of EE available is not described to theplayer as a “limited number of swaps afforded the player”.

A player screen displaying GWC, Quanta, and a library of elementsavailable to be purchased via Quanta (e.g. reshuffle game board, replaceany gem, jewel swap, etc.) in accordance with embodiments of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 19. The RC available is displayed in anRC account display 1905. A score display 1910 displays the player GWCearned during the game. The quanta available to a player and library ofelements are provided to the player in quanta display 1915.

The GWC displayed in score display 1910 corresponds to the effectivenesswith which the player creates rows, L's or T's of jewels, and othermeasures of performance normally associated with the entertainment gameversion of Bejeweled™ or other jewel alignment entertainment game. Theuse of entertainment elements purchased using Quanta may or may notimpact GWC, and the impact may or may not be the same as would be forthe deployment of entertainment element or elements if the entertainmentelements had not been acquired using Quanta.

The amount of quanta available to a player and a library of EE availablefor purchase using the quanta are provided in quanta display 1915. Inaccordance with embodiments of this gambling hybrid game, a player canconvert quanta into any of the EE provided in the library. One skilledin the art will note that the EE listed in the library are meant to bean illustrative, not exhaustive list of options. Each of the EE has aset “price” in terms of quanta. Furthermore, each EE has a specificlimit as to the number of times that the EE may be purchased either on aper game, a per period of game time, per elapsed time, or per otherlimited basis in accordance with some of these embodiments. The game mayalso have one or more limits as to the frequency with which a specificEE may be purchased (i.e. no more than once per level; no more than onceper 30 “ticks” of game time; or no more than once per 20 minutes of realtime) in accordance with some of these embodiments.

The RC available for gambling play in the gambling hybrid game isdisplayed in RC display 1905. If a player runs out of RC during play ofthe gambling hybrid game, more RC can be entered into the machine beforeadditional EE can be consumed or AE undertaken in accordance with someembodiments. In accordance with other embodiments, the game can still beplayed if a player runs out of RC. However, game play continues in anon-gambling mode and/or a virtual currency mode. In accordance withsome embodiments, one or more of the above Quanta purchasable elementsmay also be able to be purchased outright using RC during or before gameplay.

During game play of the jewel alignment game, the player is shown howmuch RC will be committed to the gambling game when a “Jewel Swap” isundertaken. The player may opt for confirmation of each and every wageron a gambling event before the gambling event is processed, or for ablanket acceptance of RC committed to a gambling event until one or moreconditions are met (i.e. total RC committed, total RC lost, etc.). Inaccordance with some embodiments that player may also opt to have ablanket acceptance in place without any conditions. The player canselect the options during a set up process, through a control elementavailable at all times on the screen or through a pop-up dashboard inaccordance with embodiments of the gambling hybrid game. When a playerelects to consume an EE (such as shifting all butterflies down one row)that have been acquired using quanta or in some other manner, the amountof RC to be committed to the gambling game is displayed in accordancewith some embodiments. The player can then confirm the amount of RCcommitted based upon settings established by the casino, anotherprovider, and/or the player in accordance with these embodiments. Whenthe player affects a “Jewel Swap”, the amount of RC committed to a wageron a gambling event based upon completion of the swap can be shown inclose proximity to the swap or in a pre-defined display area on thescreen (or an auxiliary screen).

The gambling event is then executed in the RWE as the “Jewel Swap” inthe jewel alignment entertainment game is completed. The RC committed toa wager associated with the gambling event is decremented from theplayer's RC account as displayed in the game for the gambling event. Theresults of the gambling event are communicated to the player prior to,coincidentally with, or subsequent to the evaporation of the column,row, L, or T alignment of jewels and assignment of GWC in response tothe “Jewel Swap” in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that a similar mechanism is deployedrelative to the consumption of other forms of EE or the occurrence ofAE.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the game can beconstructed so that there are skill-based levels and gambling hybridlevels interspersed in the play of the jewel alignment entertainmentgame i.e. players port from one type of level to another based onvarious occurrences in the base skill game, etc.

In accordance with some embodiments of these gambling hybrid games,quanta persists from one level of play to the next, but not beyond asingle game session. In accordance with other embodiments, the amount ofQuanta is reset each level. In accordance with still other embodiments,Quanta persists across not only multiple levels, but across multiplegame play sessions.

In accordance with embodiments of gambling hybrid games having objectalignment entertainments games, tournament entry is managed in accordwith other gambling hybrid game systems. Tournament entry may be based,different factors including, but not limited to, GWC accumulatedindependent or dependent upon RC committed/won/lost in gambling events.Furthermore, tournament entry may or may not take into account playerskill as determined in a single game session or across multiple gamesessions in accordance with these embodiments.

In accordance with other embodiments, tournament entry is achieved as afunction of a gambling event result, or a result that spans multiplegambling events in a gambling game within the gambling hybrid gameframework. For example, in the “Mining” variant of a gambling hybridgame having a jewel alignment entertainment game, players accumulatetreasures as the jewel alignment game is played. A specific treasure(e.g. a gold crown) could act as a token that gains the player entry toa specific tournament or to one of a number of tournaments (as opposedto a specific tournament).

In accordance with other embodiment of gambling hybrid games havingobject alignment entertainment games, players are exposed to specialbonus features (i.e. in game objects or variables) and awards (i.e. RCbased or real goods; and/or services) that may be gained through “skill”but are made available as a function of either skill performance and/orgambling game performance. For example, a player wins a “mega jackpot”based on the pay table of the row of jewels she most recently eliminatedfrom the board. The “mega jackpot” is a “magic jewel” that replaces oneof the standard jewels on the game board. If and when this jewel isremoved from the board as part of a 3-jewel combination the player (askill event) gains $1000 worth of RC. The inclusion of this jewel in a3-jewel combination may be advanced by the conversion of Quanta intoenhancements that the player can use.

Although certain specific features and aspects of a gaming system havebeen described herein, many additional modifications and variationswould be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the featuresand aspects described herein may be implemented independently,cooperatively or alternatively without deviating from the spirit of thedisclosure. It is therefore to be understood that gaming system may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the foregoingdescription of the gaming system should be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the claims to bedetermined as supported by this disclosure and the claims' equivalents,rather than the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gambling hybrid game, comprising: a controllerconstructed to: provide an entertainment game and present theentertainment game to a player wherein the entertainment game is anobject alignment game in which the player moves an object in a displayedgrid to form an alignment of a plurality of matching objects in aspecified configuration; receive an input from the player indicating amovement of the object in the entertainment game; determine a result ofthe movement in the entertainment game; generate a status updateregarding play of the object alignment game; communicate, to a gameworld server, the status update regarding play of the object alignmentgame; receive, from the game world server, the result of a gamblingevent; and present the result of the gambling event to the player; areal world engine constructed to: receive, from the game world server,instructions to execute the gambling event based on the status update;determine the result of the gambling event; communicate, to the gameworld server, the result of the gambling event; and the game worldserver, connected to the controller via a controller and connected tothe real world engine via communication link, constructed to: manage theentertainment game executed by the controller; receive, from thecontroller, the status update regarding play of the object alignmentgame; determine whether the gambling event is to occur based upon thestatus update; communicate, to the real world engine, instructions toexecute the gambling event based on a determination of whether toexecute the gambling event based on the status update; receive, from thereal world engine, the result of the gambling event; and communicate, tothe controller, the result of the gambling event.
 2. The gambling hybridgame of claim 1, wherein the game world server is constructed furtherto: determine an amount of an intermediate value item to award theplayer based on the result of the gambling event.
 3. The gambling hybridgame of claim 2, wherein the game world server is constructed to: usethe status update along with the result of the gambling event todetermine the amount of the intermediate value item to award.
 4. Thegambling hybrid game of claim 2 wherein the game world server is furtherconstructed to: provide an indeterminate game resource that the playermay acquire with the intermediate value item; receive a request from theplayer to acquire the indeterminate game resource; deduct the amount ofthe intermediate value item from the intermediate value item account ofthe player; and provide an update of the indeterminate game resource tothe entertainment game for use in the entertainment game.
 5. Thegambling hybrid game of claim 1, wherein the game world server furtheris constructed to: determine an amount of game world currency to provideto the player based on the result of the gambling event.
 6. The gamblinghybrid game of claim 5, wherein the game world server is furtherconstructed to: provide an indeterminate game resource that the playermay acquire with the game world currency; receive a request from theplayer to acquire the indeterminate game resource; deduct the amount ofthe game world currency from a game world currency account of theplayer; and provide an update of the indeterminate game resource to thecontroller for use in the object alignment game.
 7. The gambling hybridgame of claim 1, wherein the communications link is the communicationsnetwork.
 8. A gambling hybrid game, comprising: a controller constructedto: provide an entertainment game and present the entertainment game toa player wherein the entertainment game is an object alignment game inwhich the player moves an object in a displayed grid to form analignment of a plurality of matching objects in a specifiedconfiguration; receive an input from the player indicating a movement ofthe object in the entertainment game; determine a result of the movementin the entertainment game; generate a status update regarding play ofthe object alignment game; communicate, to a game world server, thestatus update regarding play of the object alignment game; receive, fromthe game world server, the result of the gambling event; and present theresult of the gambling event to the player; and the game world server,connected to the controller via a controller and connected to a realworld engine via communication link, constructed to: manage theentertainment game executed by the controller; receive, from thecontroller, the status update regarding play of the object alignmentgame; determine whether the gambling event is to occur based upon thestatus update; communicate, to the real world engine, instructions toexecute the gambling event based on a determination of whether toexecute the gambling event based on the status update; receive, from thereal world engine, the result of the gambling event; and communicate, tothe controller, the result of the gambling event.
 9. The gambling hybridgame of claim 8, wherein the game world server is constructed further todetermine an amount of an intermediate value item to award the playerbased on the result of the gambling event.
 10. The gambling hybrid gameof claim 9, wherein the game world server is constructed to: use thestatus update along with the result of the gambling event to determinethe amount of the intermediate value item to award.
 11. The gamblinghybrid game of claim 9 wherein the game world server is furtherconstructed to: provide an indeterminate game resource that the playermay acquire with the intermediate value item; receive a request from theplayer to acquire the indeterminate game resource; deduct the amount ofthe intermediate value item from the intermediate value item account ofthe player; and provide an update of the indeterminate game resource tothe entertainment game for use in the entertainment game.
 12. Thegambling hybrid game of claim 8, wherein the game world server furtheris constructed to: determine an amount of game world currency to provideto the player based on the result of the gambling event.
 13. Thegambling hybrid game of claim 12, wherein the game world server isfurther constructed to: provide an indeterminate game resource that theplayer may acquire with the game world currency; receive a request fromthe player to acquire the indeterminate game resource; deduct the amountof the game world currency from a game world currency account of theplayer; and provide an update of the indeterminate game resource to thecontroller for use in the object alignment game.
 14. The gambling hybridgame of claim 8, wherein the communications link is the communicationsnetwork.
 15. A gambling hybrid game, comprising: a real world engineconstructed to: receive, from a game world server, instructions toexecute a gambling event based on a status update; determine a result ofthe gambling event; communicate, to the game world server, the result ofthe gambling event; and the game world server, connected to a controllervia a controller and connected to the real world engine viacommunication link, constructed to: manage an entertainment gameexecuted by the controller; receive, from the controller, the statusupdate regarding play of an object alignment game; determine whether thegambling event is to occur based upon the status update; communicate, tothe real world engine, instructions to execute the gambling event basedon a determination of whether to execute the gambling event based on thestatus update; receive, from the real world engine, the result of thegambling event; and communicate, to the controller, the result of thegambling event.
 16. The gambling hybrid game of claim 15, wherein thegame world server is constructed further to: determine an amount of anintermediate value item to award a player based on the result of thegambling event.
 17. The gambling hybrid game of claim 16, wherein thegame world server is constructed to: use the status update along withthe result of the gambling event to determine an amount of theintermediate value item to award.
 18. The gambling hybrid game of claim16 wherein the game world server is further constructed to: provide anindeterminate game resource that the player may acquire with theintermediate value item; receive a request from the player to acquirethe indeterminate game resource; deduct the amount of the intermediatevalue item from an intermediate value item account of the player; andprovide an update of the indeterminate game resource to theentertainment game for use in the entertainment game.
 19. The gamblinghybrid game of claim 15, wherein the game world server further isconstructed to: determine the amount of game world currency to provideto the player based on the result of the gambling event.
 20. Thegambling hybrid game of claim 19, wherein the game world server isfurther constructed to: provide an indeterminate game resource that theplayer may acquire with the game world currency; receive a request fromthe player to acquire the indeterminate game resource; deduct the amountof the game world currency from a game world currency account of theplayer; and provide an update of the indeterminate game resource to thecontroller for use in the object alignment game.
 21. The gambling hybridgame of claim 15, wherein the communications link is the communicationsnetwork.